Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-07-11 Northeast Urban Renewal Board Minutes NURB Meeting – June 7, 2011 1 Northeast Urban Renewal Board (NURB) Regular Meeting Tuesday, June 7, 2011 The Northeast Urban Renewal Board met in regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, in the Conference Room, Professional Building, 20 East Olive Street, Bozeman, Montana. Present: Absent: Voting Members: Erik Nelson, Chair Daniel Doehring Tom Noble Robert Pavlic Jeanne Wesley-Wiese Non-Voting Members: Commissioner Liaison: Carson Taylor Staff: Dustin Johnson, Project Engineer Robin Sullivan, Recording Secretary Guests: Kevin Jacobsen, Morrison-Maierle Trevor McSpadden, Morrison-Maierle Audrey Kalinowski, Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board Call to Order. Chair Erik Nelson called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. Public Comment. No comment was received under this agenda item. Consent Items – Approve minutes from May 3, 2011 meeting. It was moved by Tom Noble, seconded by Bob Pavlic, that the minutes of the meeting of May 3, 2011, be approved as submitted. The motion carried on a 5-0 vote. Discussion Items – Peach Street engineering study and concept planning with Kevin Jacobsen from Morrison-Maierle – feedback from Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board (BABAB) and NorthEast Neighborhood Association (NENA). BABAB member Audrey NURB Meeting – June 7, 2011 2 Kalinowski read a statement prepared by fellow board member Sam Haraldson, noting he is generally opposed to a street plan that doesn’t accommodate bike traffic. While he does understand the right-of-way issues, it appears this Board may not have made an effort to accommodate bicycle traffic. He noted that the BABAB will continue to work for the best solution for all users although he recognizes it may be necessary to compromise with some groups. He concluded his statement by indicating that the BABAB wishes to reach a compromise on which both boards can agree and stressed that he does not want to be at odds with this Board on the design of the East Peach Street improvements. Chair Nelson noted that he was out of town when this Board held its extended conversation on incorporating bicycle lanes into this project. He stated that, based on existing right-of-way constrictions, the intensity of bike traffic and the type of traffic circulation that exists on this segment of roadway, the Board determined the best alternative is to accommodate bicycle traffic through signage rather than a dedicated bike lane. He stressed that this portion of East Peach Street is significantly different from that portion lying west of North Rouse Avenue, with substantially less vehicular traffic and less demand for a dedicated bike lane. He noted this Board has identified a boulevard that provides a more progressive way to handle stormwater and pedestrian facilities as critical elements to be included in the street design, and is not opposed to a shared use facility for pedestrians and bicycles if there is adequate right-of-way to do so. He concluded by noting that, with the number of residences along the south side, it is not possible to remove on-street parking on that side of the street; however, the Board has indicated a willingness to remove parking on the north side of the street. Responding to questions about the shared use path, Kevin Jacobsen noted that the minimum standard for a shared use path is 10 feet; however, there is only 9 feet available. He then noted that the consulting engineers have met with members of the BABAB on three separate occasions, including an introductory meeting, at the NENA presentation and then at their regular Board meeting held last Wednesday. He stated the consultants have prepared a preliminary design for the road improvements based on the desires of the BABAB for this Board to consider. Commissioner Liaison Carson Taylor recognized that there are several competing interests to be considered in designing the roadway improvements, and it is important for everyone to acknowledge and understand them as well as the constrictions. He encouraged the Board to take all steps possible to ensure that the design being presented to the Commission can be supported by the various entities, to ensure that the Commission can support it as well and not have to override an advisory board or City staff. Kevin Jacobsen distributed a packet of drawings to each of the Board members, noting that the first page was prepared in response to comments received at the BABAB meeting. He stated that the width of the street remains as it is, with two 10-foot-wide travel lanes, an 11-foot-wide combination parking/bike lane on the south side, and a 9-foot-wide shared use path on the north side of the street. He cautioned that this results in a very tight design, with the combination parking/bicycle lane not meeting City or AASHTO standards and the shared use path not meeting City standards. He also noted that it would be extremely difficult to incorporate vegetation that NURB Meeting – June 7, 2011 3 can provide a buffer for pedestrians and bicyclists and a stormwater retention facility in this design. Responding to Chair Nelson, Audrey Kalinowski stated she likes the idea of bicyclists being able to travel both ways on the street without riding against traffic. She then noted that dedicated bikers will probably ride on the road, but those not comfortable with doing so could ride on the sidewalk if it has a shared use designation. Chair Nelson expressed concern that a narrow drainage area may not be adequate to manage stormwater, and trees could not be planted in it. He then asked if a standard width boulevard could realistically accommodate the stormwater if no dedicated bike lane were included in the street design. Kevin Jacobsen cautioned that the goal is not to handle all stormwater in a large water event, but to treat as much as possible, with grates allowing the overflow to continue down the curb. Chair Nelson stated it is his goal to promote ideas not of the norm for handling of pedestrians, bicycles and storm drainage within the district. He does not want to see the project fail by trying to accommodate too many things. Responding to Tom Noble, Audrey Kalinowski stated that she would prefer wider travel lanes if dedicated bike lanes are not included in the design. She noted that dedicated bicyclists can ride with vehicles without a problem. Tom Noble stated he prefers to ride with traffic and, as a result, he would like to see wider driving lanes. He then noted that children, who often prefer to get off the street, can legally ride on a 5- foot-wide sidewalk. Audrey Kalinowski noted that speeds on this short section of roadway are generally low. She also noted that most avid bicyclists will not move to a shared use pathway but will remain on the roadway. She then stressed that the BABAB is not contentious, but does as much as possible to promote cycling. Responding to questions from Ms. Kalinowski, Trevor McSpadden confirmed that the stormwater retention facility is designed to get sedimentation and contaminants out of the water before it enters the creek. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson cautioned that, without a boulevard, there is no space for snow storage. Responding to Engineer Johnson, Audrey Kalinowski stated that, for this section of roadway, she personally would prefer wider shared lanes to having a shared use path on the north side of the street. NURB Meeting – June 7, 2011 4 Tom Noble stated he feels the truck drivers will fight the narrow driving lanes, especially those who carry overwidth loads. Project Engineer Dustin Johnson noted that the plan before the Board has a lot of different elements coming at a driver with narrow widths involved. Responding to suggestions that Cottonwood Street be designated as the bike route, Audrey Kalinowski stated that bicyclists will want to stay on Peach Street. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that the Board’s dilemma continues to be whether to incorporate boulevards and sidewalks into the design or to accommodate a bike lane. Chair Nelson asked the Board members if their preference is for widening the travel lanes to 12 feet to accommodate both vehicles and bicyclists or to incorporate a bicycle lane at the expense of stormwater retention facilities. He then noted that once the Board has decided on the design, it must then solicit input from others who would be using the roadway, including those involved in trucking. Create list of questions for Pedestrian Bridge Survey to be posted on Survey Monkey and linked to NENA Google Group. Due to Jeanne Wesley-Wiese’s evening schedule, Chair Nelson broke discussion on the Peach Street design to move this agenda item forward. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese stated she and Planner Keri Thorpe have discussed the best way to complete an application for a $30,000 parks grant for the pedestrian bridge by the July 1 deadline. She noted Planner Thorpe has indicated this Board should apply for the grant rather than the NorthEast Neighborhood Association. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese noted that part of the grant application includes surveying of the neighborhood as well as those who might use the bridge to determine community support for the project. It has been determined that the survey should be posted on Survey Monkey and linked to the NENA Google group to best obtain that input. She asked that the Board members forward their ideas for questions to be included in the survey to Planner Thorpe. Chair Nelson suggested that this survey should be circulated through the Gallatin Valley Land Trust to get wider community input. Peach Street engineering study and concept planning with Kevin Jacobsen from Morrison-Maierle – feedback from Bozeman Area Bicycle Advisory Board (BABAB) and NorthEast Neighborhood Association (NENA) (continued). Trevor McSpadden turned the Board’s attention to photographs depicting some of the elements contained in the street design. Those photographs include the 10-foot-wide shared use path leading to the library; a curb sidewalk along Main Street; and a 10-foot-wide trail. He noted that one of the suggestions raised at the BABAB meeting was the possibility of creating pull- NURB Meeting – June 7, 2011 5 outs along the shared use trail so that someone with a big stroller and a bicyclist could actually meet and pass on the shared use path. He noted the result would be a broken boulevard between the curb and the sidewalk. Kevin Jacobsen noted a majority of the remaining drawings are conceptual exhibits for the north side of the road, with a few intersection ideas reflected on the other drawings. He cautioned that these ideas will not work for the entire length of East Peach Street, but different treatments can be used as the character of the roadway changes. Jeanne Wesley-Wiese left the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Kevin Jacobsen reviewed each of the drawings, identifying the different elements to be considered. The first drawing shows a boulevard sidewalk with stormwater retention, including chases, or grates, that allow water to flow back into the street if necessary. The second drawing reflects 9 feet of concrete with pull out areas and planter beds, which can give the feel of a curvilinear sidewalk. He suggested that benches and bicycle spaces could be incorporated into this design if desired. The third drawing includes a 5-foot-sidewalk in its standard location, with the other four feet being used for other treatments, such as bike racks, benches or bollard style lighting. The fourth drawing includes a standard sidewalk and ribbon curbing that allows water from the roadway to flow into a bioswale and then to a discharge point. He also noted that a couple driveway options have also been included in these drawings. Chair Nelson voiced his support for the last design, but suggested that bulb outs be considered at the intersections to make it more comfortable for children to use. Bob Pavlic indicated that he also supports the bioswale design. Tom Noble noted the bioswale is closest to the Board’s original concept. Kevin Jacobsen cautioned that people can potentially drive into the bioswale with a ribbon curb; and parking in it would create significant functional problems. He suggested that, to avoid those potential problems, bushes and shrubs could be incorporated into the bioswale. Trevor McSpadden noted that the desires of the Bike Board were taken into consideration as these drawings were prepared. He stated, unfortunately, that the result was more hard surface and less green space than this Board desires. He also cautioned that there are a lot of driveways along some portions of this roadway, which may require a change in design. Kevin Jacobsen turned attention to the intersection treatments, stressing that the standard city curb bulb requires parking for both legs of the intersection; and the design currently under consideration does not include parking on the north side of the street. He noted that, as a result, one of the drawings includes a half curb bulb. The other drawing incorporates planters, which would allow water to run through them. NURB Meeting – June 7, 2011 6 Chair Nelson suggested that intersection treatments could be considered at North Church Avenue and North Ida Avenue, but would not work well at North Wallace Avenue. Kevin Jacobsen suggested intersection treatments could include something that sets this district apart from the remainder of the community, possibly focusing on something historic within the district. He concluded by stating it is his desire to gain enough direction to develop a design for this roadway for the Board’s next meeting. Chair Nelson voiced his preference for the bioswale with either driveway concept, depending on the circumstances. While he is indifferent to decorative intersections and believes they would be excessively expensive, he feels that interesting crosswalks could be considered. He suggested that monies could possibly be better spent on commissioning a sculpture instead of decorative intersections. Kevin Jacobsen encouraged the Board to consider these design elements for the entire district and not just this section of roadway. He noted that, if it is the Board’s desire, art spaces could be created in this road design; and the artwork could then be rotated every year or two to allow displaying of different pieces. Trevor McSpadden reminded the Board that there is no designated bike route on Peach Street east of North Wallace Avenue. He then cautioned that two bike lanes are needed to make the system work properly. He suggested that widening the lane widths, allowing an 8-foot-wide parking lane on the south side of the street and adding signage indicating this is a shared roadway may be the best alternative for this section of the street. Responding to Chair Nelson, Project Engineer Dustin Johnson stated the BABAB’s ideal preference would be to remove parking and boulevards and provide bike lanes on both sides of the street. Commissioner Liaison Carson Taylor stated that explaining the thought process followed in reaching a recommendation is very important in helping everyone involved in the decision-making process. Tom Noble noted that this Board discussed bike lanes extensively at its first meeting on this issue. He then voiced his support for the design that incorporates a bioswale, noting the cost is low and it is the closest to what already exists. Responding to questions from Chair Nelson, it was determined that the new street design, based on this Board’s discussion, be presented at next month’s meeting of the BABAB as well as this Board. It was also noted that the presentation to the BABAB needs to include the reasons why bike lanes are not incorporated into the design, including the right-of-way widths, volume of traffic, speeds, parking for residents and stormwater issues. Chair Nelson noted that it is this Board’s goal to accommodate all types of travel, and speeds are NURB Meeting – June 7, 2011 7 slow on this section of roadway so bicycle traffic can be accommodated through shared use signs. Kevin Jacobsen concluded by noting that they will prepare a new design to present this Board and the BABAB at next month’s meeting. He noted the new design will incorporate corridor treatments supported by this Board, including the bioswale, and intersection treatments. FY12 Work Plan and Budget – preliminary discussion to provide direction to staff for preparation of draft. Chair Nelson asked that the Board members review this year’s work plan prior to next month’s meeting, and be prepared to identify those projects that should remain on the list and those new projects that should be considered for next year’s work plan. Trail totem signage – provide staff with suggestions for totem directional signage. Chair Nelson stated the signs should echo what the trail is, with one indicating it is the North Church Avenue Trail and the other indicating it is the Aspen Street Connector. The totems should be located at each end of these trail connections and should also reflect that they are part of the Main Street to the Mountains trail system. Bob Pavllic volunteered to build the totems if someone purchases the wood, since it appears the City has no totems to install for these trails. Commissioner Liaison Taylor indicated that he will contact Park/Recreation Superintendent Ron Dingman to find out if totems would be available for these trails. Board member recruitment. Bob Pavlic announced that he will apply for reappointment. He then apologized for missing the last few meetings, but noted he has been out of town due to his Mother’s death. Various board members noted their unsuccessful attempts to solicit applicants for the non-voting positions on the Board. FYI Items. No comment was received under this agenda item. Adjournment – 8:33 p.m. There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting. Erik Nelson, Chair Northeast Urban Renewal Board City of Bozeman